Get a great defence and learn to relax so you can confidently execute split second manoeuvres.

Learn to shuffle step in and out with multiple steps so you can quickly and easily place yourself at the correct distance. Learning the correct distance is a matter of a lot of sparring and experience.

Also, learn to punch at different distances. For each punch, you should practice a long, medium and short versions. Except the right uppercut, which should always be short, unless you want to get KTFO.